GMU 38M Unit 38M — Tucson
The archery-only urban unit wrapped around Tucson — low desert bucks in the city's backyard.
Greater Tucson — Sonoran Desert urban archery zone · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
770
sq mi
Public land
37%
approx.
Elevation
2,200–4,650
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 38M is the special urban hunt zone surrounding metropolitan Tucson, drawn to overlay the low Sonoran Desert valley floor, foothills and washes that ring the city. Because it is essentially an urban unit, mule deer and javelina hunters are restricted to archery equipment, and hunting is closed in developed residential and commercial areas. It is not trophy country — it is an accessible, close-to-home archery opportunity where some deer are habituated to people, and the January bow season falls squarely in the rut.
Terrain
Low Sonoran Desert basin-and-foothill terrain — flat creosote flats and braided sandy washes rising into rocky bajadas and small desert mountains that ring the Tucson valley.
Cover: Classic low Sonoran desert: creosote, mesquite, palo verde, ocotillo and a full cactus assemblage — saguaro, cholla, barrel and prickly pear — with yucca on the slopes.
Landmarks: Tucson Mountains / Tucson Mountain Park · Saguaro National Park (closed to hunting) · Rillito and Santa Cruz washes · Tortolita foothills · greater Tucson metro
Access
A patchwork urban unit — public ground is fragmented among BLM, State Trust and county parkland between private development. Hunting is prohibited in developed areas, no firearm may be discharged within a quarter mile of an occupied structure, and municipal parks and golf courses are closed. Saguaro National Park (both districts) is closed to hunting, and the San Xavier / Tohono O'odham reservation on the south and west is tribal land closed to general hunting. State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit.
Managers: Private (City of Tucson / metro), BLM, AZ State Trust, Pima County (Tucson Mountain Park), National Park Service (Saguaro NP — closed), Tribal — Tohono O'odham / San Xavier (closed)
Access points: Tucson Mountain Park (archery mule deer open) · Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 corridors · Ajo Way / Kinney Rd to the west desert · Tortolita / Oro Valley foothill access on the north
Species notes
Mule Deer
common opportunityDesert mule deer scattered through the washes, foothills and undeveloped desert pockets around the city — an archery-only, over-the-counter-style opportunity hunt rather than a trophy pursuit, with some deer habituated to human presence.
- →Glass the desert washes, saguaro benches and small mountain foothills at first and last light
- →Hunt the January archery season during the rut when bucks move and chase
- →Focus undeveloped desert pockets, county parkland and washes away from housing
- →Still-hunt and ambush water and green browse in the dry pre-monsoon stretch
Pro tips
- →This is an archery-only urban zone — no rifle for mule deer; plan a bow hunt.
- →The January bow season falls in the rut and is the best time to catch a mature buck moving.
- →Some deer here are semi-habituated to people, but access legality is the real puzzle — map private parcels, parks and reservation lines first.
- →Tucson Mountain Park is a known open archery mule deer pocket on the west side.
- →Hunt water and shaded washes during hot early seasons.
Watch out for
- !No firearm discharge within a quarter mile of an occupied structure; developed areas, city parks and golf courses are closed.
- !Saguaro National Park (east and west districts) is closed to hunting — know the boundaries.
- !Tohono O'odham / San Xavier reservation land on the south and west is tribal and closed to general hunting.
- !State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit.
- !Extreme heat and no water — carry far more than you think on early-season hunts.
Logistics
This is a hunt in Tucson's backyard — full services, fuel, lodging and archery shops are all in the metro. The challenge is not remoteness but legality: you must know exactly where you can and cannot hunt around private property, parks and the reservation. Scout access and property lines hard before opening day.
Nearest towns: Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Green Valley
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD — GMU 38M unit information · GOHUNT — Arizona Unit 38M profile · HuntScore — Deer hunting in Arizona GMU 38M
FAQ
- How big is GMU 38M in Arizona?
- GMU 38M (Unit 38M — Tucson) covers about 770 square miles, ranging from roughly 2,200 to 4,650 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 38M?
- Approximately 37% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: Private (City of Tucson / metro), BLM, AZ State Trust, Pima County (Tucson Mountain Park), National Park Service (Saguaro NP — closed), Tribal — Tohono O'odham / San Xavier (closed). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 38M?
- Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 38M on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.